A South Londoner is taking on this summer’s iconic 100-mile RideLondon cycle marathon to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society after witnessing his father’s experience with dementia.

The cycling challenge began 10 years ago and since then, almost 500,000 people have taken part in the event raising more than £80 million for charities. Alzheimer’s Society is RideLondon’s Charity Partner of the Year with 412 riders already registered to peddle for the leading dementia charity on Sunday 28 May.

Tony Bobowicz is a telecommunications expert from Purley and said the disease robbed his father of life while still alive and exhausted his mother who provided care.

The 62-year-old explained: “My father lived with dementia for seven years ago until it took his life. I do not think people fully understand what dementia is. They have an image of someone dithery and forgetful, and that is the only symptom they imagine. But dementia can also cause disorientation, confusion, anxiety and loss of inhibition. He would do things in public which would make people’s stomach churn and get angry when he could not find the words to describe his feelings.

“The public don’t always treat those affected by dementia with enough empathy as it is not visible, while people often show impatience or frustration towards someone affected by it. My dad was Polish and moved to London after World War II, but after developing dementia would repeat the same sentences in Polish over and over like a broken record.

“You might not think that sounds too bad, but when you have to listen to your loved one repeating the same thing every day it is heart-breaking. Eventually, he lost the ability to recognise what language someone was speaking. Those caring for a relative with dementia deserve greater support than what they get because it’s not an easy job to do daily. Being informed about what lies ahead on the journey and where to turn in times of crisis is vital, so a loved one knows what to expect and can plan ahead.”

Fundraisers supporting Alzheimer’s Society at the annual cycling festival last year amassed £207,000 and more than £2.3 million since 2013, providing help for those experiencing difficulty now and hope for the future via funding research programmes.

People with dementia often feel forgotten by the wider public, who do not always understand the huge challenges or may view it as simply ‘part of getting old’. They also feel forgotten by research, where breakthroughs seem to come hard and fast for other conditions, while people living with dementia are left waiting.

The charity offers post-diagnosis support to people affected by dementia to better access health, community and care services, while investing £86 million into research projects since 1990.

Tony added: “With dementia, loved ones grieve a bereavement before their relative is even lost. But Alzheimer’s Society provide support services and activities for the person with dementia and guidance to their relatives who would otherwise be alone, such as my mother who was my father’s primary carer for many years.

“My mum said it was like having a new-born baby or puppy after my dad developed dementia. In the early stages he would go out in the morning to buy a newspaper, get home and read it, then go to the same shop in the afternoon to buy the same paper! He would also walk off when out shopping with my mum. At first that is semi-humorous but when it gets to the point where he can’t be left alone for his own safety, it became a shackle around my mum.”

Tony insists it is important to raise awareness so dementia is more comprehensively understood, as only then can people fully appreciate the importance of charities such as Alzheimer’s Society that champion the rights of carers and people with dementia. With the ride start and finish line in central London, it will be the second year that 25,000 cyclists cruise through the Essex countryside on traffic-free roads.

To register for a RideLondon-Essex charity place with Alzheimer’s Society, please visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk/ridelondon